Now Playing in Japan

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The latest releases from overseas.

By IGN Staff

Are you a big import gamer? Does it annoy you that we don't list the numerous budget re-releases of Japanese titles in this space? Then you've followed the right link (although you keep track of the budget re-releases for yourselves).

This weekly section on IGN will keep you up to date on what games were released over the previous week in Japan. If you want to keep up to date on the import scene, be sure and check back every week.

The following games were released between 08.02.04 and 08.09.04. Click on the name to see all of IGN's current coverage on the title.

PLAYSTATION 2

Darling Special Backlash ~ Ai no Exhaust Heat ~ Publisher: D3 Publisher Genre: Love, Adventure, Release: 08.05.04 Price: 5040 yen, Memory: 77K Other: Special Box includes CD D3 Publisher's latest is yet another one of those backwards love simulations where you play as a girl out to seek a male companion. In this game, you play as a rookie female reporter who's assigned a feature story on a racing team. Over the course of two months, you must develop strong ties to one of the racing team members. This game was originally a PC title, but has seen additional characters, artwork and events in its move to the PS2.

Hayarigami Keishicho Kaii Jiken File Publisher: Nippon Ichi Software Genre: Horror, Detective, Adventure, Release: 08.05.04 Price: 6090 yen, Memory: 550K Nippon Ichi's latest probably won't come out in America, but Japanese gamers who are into this sort of digital novel type of game will probably like what's on offer. The storyline places players in the role of a detective out to collect clues to solve a mystery. The game's theme is horror. Four systems feature in the gameplay. The Detective Logic system has players combine words and ideas from interviews to form a dependency chart. The Courage Point system has players assign a limited number of points to choices that they make, with the number of points reflecting how much confidence the player has. The Self Question system has players answer questions about a given crime. Finally, the Data Base system stores key words for future reference.

Meiwaku Seijin Panic Maker Publisher: Capcom Genre: Comical, Action, Release: 08.05.04 Price: 7140 yen, Memory: 55K Known as Under the Skin in America, this game places you in the shoes of an alien out to wreck havoc on Earth. By transforming into people who roam about a city area, you earn special powers to perform pranks on others. The more you shock people, the more coins you collect and the further you can advance. Pranks include things like punching people in the face and playing loud music, although the pranks that are available to you change depending on the stage. A special Resident Evil level takes place in Raccoon City and features Nemesis from Resident Evil 3 as a super prankster.

Michigan Publisher: Spike Genre: Suspense, Adventure, Release: 08.05.04 Price: 7140 yen, Memory: 45K From Grasshopper Interactive comes this quirky take on the survival horror genre. You play as a news station cameraman as a strange mist engulfs the city of Chicago. Viewing the action at all times from a viewfinder, you must help a hot female reporter perform investigations. It's possible for the reporter to die, with a new one appearing in her place. The game rates your filming in areas such as eroticism and suspense. Multiple endings and paths await depending on how you proceed through the levels.

Rockman Power Battle Fighters Publisher: Capcom Genre: Adventure, Action, Release: 08.05.04 Price: 2940 yen, Memory: 42K This compilation includes Rockman Power Battle and Rockman 2: The Power Fighters both arcade fighting games featuring the blue buster, the former from 1995, the latter from 1996. Power Battle lets you face off against bosses from Mega Man 1 to Mega Man 7. The successor adds another boss, the ability to use items, and support characters who battle along side you. Two players can battle one another in versus mode as well.

Saiyuki Reload Gunlock Publisher: Bandai Genre: Fighting, Action, Release: 08.06.04 Price: 7140 yen, Memory: 49K The popular Saiyuki Reload comic and cartoon gets its second PS2 title in less than a year, this time in the form of a fighting game. You select from the series' cast of characters and, in addition to the standard array of battle tactics, make use of a "Dramatic Rave" super move that lets you strike enemies using three different levels of attack depending on how much energy you've stored up.

Sukusuku Inufuku Publisher: Hamster Genre: Raising, Quiz, Adventure, Release: 08.05.04 Price: 6090 yen, Memory: 160K This game sees you raise a mysterious creature called Inufuku. You progress by taking quizzes and playing through mini games, with your inufuku's abilities going up as a result. It's possible to develop one of ninety different inufuku characters. Seven forms of mini game are included in the title. Quizzes can be played by yourself or between four players.

Saru EyeToy Oosawagi! Wakki Waki Game Tenkomori!! Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Genre: Other, Variety, Action, Release: 08.05.04 Price: 4725 yen, Memory: 630K Other: Requires Eye Toy camera The latest EyeToy title looks like all the other EyeToy games, except with monkeys. You once again use the EyeToy camera to put yourself inside a series of mini games. The main mode of play is set up as a board game, with multiple players being dealt out new mini games as they progress through the board.

SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Genre: Special Tactical Forces, Action, Shooting, Release: 08.05.04 Price: 7140 yen, Memory: 3000K Other: Comptaible with Network Adapter, PlayStation BB Unit and USB Mic The original SOCOM wasn't quite the million seller in Japan that it was in America, but it did manage reasonable numbers given its Western nature. It did well enough, apparently, for SCE to bring the sequel over to Japan.

World Soccer Winning Eleven 8 Publisher: Konami Genre: Soccer, Action, Release: 08.05.04 Price: 7329 yen, Memory: 2102K The latest in Konami's soccer series sold a million copies in its first few days in Japan and looks well on its way to meet the company's expectations of 1.5 million units sold. More teams, more motions, and more everything feature in this update. Be sure and see IGNPS2's big updates on the title for full details.

Konjiki no Gashbelle!! Yuujou Tag Battle Full Power Publisher: Bandai Genre: Anime, Action, Release: 08.05.04 Price: 7140 yen This GameCube title is a port of a PS2 title of the same name (minus the "Full Power" part). Graphics have been upgraded and a new character has been added for the GameCube version.

B-Densetsu! Battle B-Daman ~ Moero! B-Tama Publisher: Atlus Genre: Comic, Anime, Action, Adventure, Release: 08.05.04 Price: 5040 yen, Includes Backup Feature Peripherals: Link cable The Battle B-Daman toys and cartoon come to the game screen with this title. The basics of the game involve making use of B-Daman machines to fight rivals. You can customize your machines with more than 250 parts. Characters from the show appear as you progress through a story.

Densetsu no Starfy 3 Publisher: Nintendo Genre: Comical, Action, Release: 08.05.04 Price: 4800 yen, Includes Backup Feature Peripherals: Link cable The latest in Nintendo's Starfy series of Japan-only platformers lets you play as Starfy and his little sister Starpy. The game features a variety of play mechanics and even lets you ride things, including a submarine. Four player mini games are included as well.

Himawari Doubutsu Byouin ~ Pet no O-ishassan Ikusei Game ~ Publisher: TDK Core Genre: Raising, Simulation, Release: 08.05.04 Price: 5040 yen, Includes Backup Feature In this game, you become a veterinary apprentice and, over a two year period, work to heal animals. The results of your work change the ending of the game. Healing animals involves taking them for walks and playing mini games.

SD Gundam Force Publisher: Bandai Genre: Anime, Action, Release: 08.05.04 Price: 5040 yen, Includes Backup Feature Based on the currently airing SD Gundam series, this game lets you switch between three characters as you make your way through action-oriented stages of play. Stages feature branching points that affect the storyline.

Ultra Keibitai: Monster Attack Publisher: Rocket Company Genre: Simulation, Release: 08.05.04 Price: 5040 yen, Includes Backup Feature Other: First run includes special badge In this title, you guide the Ultra Keibitai against alien beasts out to strip mankind of peace. You make use of Ultraman and other characters as units in strategy-style battles. Beasts and machines that you encounter in the game are stored in a library for future reference.

That does it for this week's software list. Remember, if you want to keep ahead of the Japanese game scene, be sure and check out our weekly Gaming Life in Japan article. In addition to the week in review, a look at the latest Japanese magazines and the latest sales charts and release dates, the latest issue features a deeper look at Yinling of Joytoy (via a 10 minute video) and television commercials for Fullmetal Alchemist: Dream Carnival, Famicom Mini Round 3, KOF: Maximum Impact and Lupin. Check out the latest issue by browsing here.